When thinking about Costa Rica, you surely imagine green jungles, misty volcanoes and the call of exotic wildlife in the forest. Now picture you are flying above it all, suspended on a zipwire, with nothing but rainforest beneath your feet.
This is what makes Costa Rica zipline tours beautiful and an experience you must have in your adventure bucket list. You can find in this guide the best places to zipline in Costa Rica. As well as why pairing your adrenaline rush with a relaxing catamaran tour makes the perfect vacation balance.
What Makes Ziplining in Costa Rica Special?
Costa Rica ziplining is truly an adrenaline-filled activity you should not leave out on your trip. It is after all the home and birthplace of the canopy tour. The very first treetop experience that is known globally. It is not hard to understand why Costa Rica zipline tours appear on the bucket list of almost every traveler when you are flying over the rainforest.
World-Famous Canopy Rides
Costa Rica is perfect for ziplining. Here, you won’t just get a quick thrill ride. You’ll glide across ancient rainforests, misty cloud forests and lush tropical valleys. Some tours even combine multiple ziplines so you can spend hours flying through the trees. From your harness, you’ll see landscapes that are impossible to take in from the ground.
Eco-Adventure With a Thrill
What makes a Costa Rica zipline tour so unique is that it blends adventure with conservation. The whole idea of the canopy tour was born from biologists who wanted a safe way to study the rainforest without harming it. Today, when you zipline here, you’re not only chasing thrills but you’re also experiencing nature at its purest.
Did you know? Nearly 90% of Costa Rica’s wildlife lives up in the canopy. That means your best chance at spotting toucans, monkeys, iguanas, and even sleepy sloths is while you’re zipping between the treetops.
Fun for Everyone: The best part? You don’t need to be an extreme athlete to join a zipline tour. As long as you’re okay with heights, you’ll be securely strapped into a harness that does most of the work for you. And since tours run rain or shine, it’s a perfect adventure even if the weather turns a little wet.
Best Places for Costa Rica Zipline Tours
Not all zipline experiences are the same. Depending on where you travel in Costa Rica, you’ll find a variety of landscapes and vibes.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde is where that dream comes true. Perched high in the Puntarenas mountains, the Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of Costa Rica’s most amazing zipline destinations. With its misty trails, hanging bridges, and dense canopy dripping in moss and orchids, this gives you the best vibe. No matter which park you choose, ziplining here is about more than adrenaline.
- 100% Aventura
At 100% Aventura, you can enjoy the longest zipline in Latin America, stretching a jaw-dropping 1.6 km (that’s almost a full mile!). If you’ve ever wanted to try the famous Superman-style zipline which is flying face-first with arms stretched out. Than this is the place to do it.
- Sky Adventures Monteverde
If safety and accessibility are top of your list, Sky Adventures Monteverde is a favorite for families and first-timers. It is also called Treetopia. They even have an advanced braking system so you don’t need to worry about stopping yourself. It includes seven zip lines between 100 meters (300 feet) and 750 meters (2,460 feet) long. Also has a vertical jump from a platform called “Vertigo Drop” for an unforgettable adventure.
- Monteverde Extremo
On the other hand, if you’re craving heart-pounding thrills, head to Monteverde Extremo. Here you’ll find massive Tarzan swings, rappels and even underground ziplines. You can actually zip through a cave.
- Selvatura Park
For nature lovers, Selvatura Park offers the most scenic rides. You can soar above the mist while spotting toucans, howler monkeys, and maybe even a sloth lounging in the treetops. And when you’re done zipping, you can slow down on the famous hanging bridges that wind through the canopy.
Ziplining in Arenal & La Fortuna
If you’re chasing thrills, ziplining near Arenal Volcano is an adventure you can’t skip. You can look above the rainforest canopy with the perfect view of Costa Rica’s most iconic volcano right in front of you. The long, high-speed cables here don’t give you a rush. They give you a view of waterfalls, jungle and even Lake Arenal sparkling in the distance.
The first zipline tours in Arenal started back in the 1990s, and today the area is home to some of the fastest and most scenic ziplines in the country.
- Sky Adventures Arenal (Sky Trek)
The most famous is Sky Adventures Arenal which takes you up the mountain on a gondola ride. It will launch you across seven massive cables. including Costa Rica’s fastest, where you can hit speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph). At the top, you’ll even find “Arenal’s Hand,” a giant sculpture where you can take one of the most epic photos overlooking the volcano and lake.
- Arenal Ecoglide Park
If you like something a little less intense but still packed with fun, Arenal Ecoglide Park is a great choice. With 11 zip lines and a Tarzan Swing that lets you leap 40 meters into the forest, it’s perfect for you.
- Go Adventure Arenal Park
For a more natural and budget-friendly option, Go Adventure Arenal Park combines 10 zip lines with a 50-meter rappel. All of them are set within 30 hectares of protected rainforest. This park is known for its wildlife. You might spot toucans, monkeys, or even sloths as you glide over the Arenal River canyon.
Manuel Antonio
If you’re looking for the best of both jungle and ocean Manuel Antonio is where you’ll find it. It can be found beside the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. This coastal gem gives you the thrill of lush rainforest while still catching glimpses of the sparkling Pacific.
Interesting Facts: Ziplining here is about perspective. You can glide along one of Costa Rica’s longest twin zip lines (an incredible 4,300 feet / 1,310 meters!) with a friend right beside you. On a typical canopy tour, you’ll enjoy 9 double-anchored zip lines, 14 tree platforms, and 6 hanging bridges.
Fun Fact: You can spend your morning flying through the treetops, and your afternoon sailing the Pacific on a catamaran tour. After an adrenaline-filled zipline adventure, you can sip a cold drink on a deck of catamaran. You can spot dolphins, and watch the sun sink into the horizon. Few places in Costa Rica let you combine rainforest thrills and ocean relaxation in a single day as seamlessly as Manuel Antonio.
If it’s your first visit, you’ll experience Costa Rica’s wild side and its coastal charm in one unforgettable trip.
Check our guide on ‘Manuel Antonio Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors’
Guanacaste and Tamarindo
When you are traveling with family, Guanacaste is the best destination for ziplining in Costa Rica. The region is also renowned due to its dry tropical forests, sunshine weather and adventure parks. That will make it convenient to welcome kids and first-timers to participate in the fun.
There are some special excursions for you in Tamarindo, Liberia, and Playa Flamingo as well as a canopy tour. At The Congo Trail you are able to zip through the trees and also spot howler monkeys in the wild. In Diamante Eco Adventure Park near Playa Matapalo you can enjoy ocean view ziplines.
The best part? You may balance your adventure with some well-deserved beach time. Spending your mornings above the treetops, you can come down to Tamarindo to relax on the sand or go on a catamaran tour. Lots of tourists prefer making a combination of the two You may zipline to get a thrill. A catamaran cruise will allow you to snorkel, spot dolphins, or relax and enjoy the sunset.
And since Tamarindo is one of Costa Rica’s most vibrant beach towns, you’ll also have plenty of great restaurants. You can find surf schools and nightlife to round out your trip. Whether you’re chasing thrills or chilling by the water, Guanacaste and Tamarindo give you the perfect mix of both.
Book your private catamaran deluxe for large groups now! To make your and your loved ones’ vacation unforgettable.
Is Ziplining in Costa Rica Safe?
Yes! Ziplining in Costa Rica is designed with international safety standards in mind. Kids (6+) can join in, and parents love it as a safe family activity. Professional operators run the tours, and equipment is regularly checked and certified.
Safety tips to keep in mind:
- Always listen to your guide’s instructions.
- Double-check that your harness is snug.
- Wear closed-toe shoes for a secure grip.
Families with kids will be glad to know that many tours offer tandem rides for younger ones.
Pair Adventure with Relaxation Catamaran Tours in Costa Rica
Following the soaring in the treetops, your day may be crowned by sailing across the Pacific Ocean in a private catamaran. Tours on catamaran in Costa Rica will be a perfectly good addition to a thrilling experience of ziplining.
On board, you can enjoy:
- Snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.
- Open bar and freshly prepared snacks.
- Dolphin and sea turtle encounters.
- Sunset views that take your breath away.
Book your private catamaran tour now! For a thrilling zipline tour with a private catamaran trip for the best of land and sea.
Practical Tips and What to Expect on Your Zipline Tour
To make the most of your tour, keep these tips in mind:
- What to wear: you can pack comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, light layers.
- What to bring: You should bring sunscreen, bug spray and a camera with a strap.
- When to go: The dry season (Dec–April) offers the clearest skies, but the green season (May–Nov) brings lush forests and fewer crowds.
- Safety briefing & gear: You’ll start with instructions, helmets, harnesses, and everything you need.
- Timeframe: Most tours last 2–3 hours depending on the number of cables.
- Guides included: Most tours have bilingual, professional guides who ensure safety and fun for everyone.
Conclusion
Costa Rica zipline tours aren’t just a destination, it’s an adventure playground. With some of the best zipline tours in the world, you’ll get to see the country from a whole new perspective.
And when you’re ready to trade speed for serenity, there’s no better way than a private catamaran trip along Costa Rica’s coast. You can book a catamaran tour with us. It’s the perfect blend of thrill and relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ziplining in Costa Rica?
No single zipline is considered the best; it all depends on what you want to prioritize; some of the best ziplines include Selvatura Park, Sky adventures Arenal, Aventura Canopy Tour (100% Aventura).
How fast is ziplining in Costa Rica?
One of the most exciting things to do in Costa Rica is to zip line across the tops of the trees at speeds of up to 50mph along a steel cable.
What’s the highest zipline in Costa Rica?
Sky Adventures Arenal Park has the tallest zip line in Costa Rica with a height of 200 meters (656 feet) above the Arenal Rainforest canopy.
What to wear while ziplining in Costa Rica?
You should have comfortable and fitted clothing, not snagging. Such items as leggings or speedy-dry shorts and a breathable top can be really good. Using shoes with good grip with no open toes are essential.
